Traffic ramp



Aug. 18, 1936. R. R. BYWATER TRAFFIC RAMP Filed July 9, 1934 Patented Aug. 18, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT FlfiCE-fv f 2,051,678 y TRAFFIC RAMP f Richard R. Bywater, St. Louis, M o. Application July 9, 1934, serial aNd; 734,370 1 claim. (c1. 10i- 124i 'I'his invention` relates to traiiic ramps, and its general object is Vto provide a ramp thatlis primarily designed for use across the intersections of streets, to expedite vehicle and pedestrian traffic and to prevent accidents.

' A further object of the invention is to provide a traiiic ramp that includes channel runways, having concaved serrated tread rails to provide positive purchase of vehicle tirestherewith, and l0 together. with the channel structure guides the Wheels with the result the ramp can be'used by inexperienced drivers, with very little eiiort, as the possibility of running over the sides is eliminated. f y 4A further object of the invention is to provide a traffic ramp having channel runways that are amply supported and reinforced to prevent displacement and the like regardless of the type of vehicleusirigthe same and whether 'or not it is equipped with single or dual wheels.

VVAnother'object of the invention is to provide a i traiiic ramp that takes up minimum space, is yof an openV type construction and allows for lthe passage of ample light therethrough. 25 l'Astillfurther'object of the invention is to provide a traic ramp of the character set forth, that issimple in construction, inexpensive to erect, and is extremely eiiicient in use and service.

This invention alsoconsists in certain other features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, to be hereinafter fully idescribed, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and speciiically pointed out in the appended claim.

In describing my invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawings wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan View of a ramp constructed in accordance with the present invention, and shows the same at an intersection.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary enlarged view illustrating portions of the runways and the anchoring means therefor.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken through a portion of the ramp with parts in elevation.

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken through one of the runways.

While, in the following description I shall make reference to a number of parallel and spaced vehicle pathways, it is to be understood that the same is merely to disclose my device arranged to accommodate vehicles which have their wheels differently spaced and' that such arrangement forms no'part of my present invention. iv

Referring to Athe drawings in detail, and particularly to Figure 1, it will be' noted that I have illustrated! adual traic ramp'fo'r use'by double lanes of-tra-flic goingv in opposite-directions, with ramps disposed upon opposite-sides of `a street and across tha-intersection, but a single ramp would be erected-across the intersection and longitudinally ofthe center ofthe street, as Willbe apparent.` Each-tramp `includes an abutment or base means I, at the oppositeends thereof within' which is'embedded the anchoring meansforthe runways which together with Vthe anchoring means willbe presently described, and the runways are broadly indicated-by the-reference'numeral 2,'whi1e `the side Walks forpedestrian vtrafiic are numbered 3. i115' 1 It will be obvious that therampshave the run- Ways and side walks'supportedin arched formation and'extend a considerable distance :beyond the intersection as shown in Figure'l. f The'supporting means is in the form oi'colurnns` 4 that are preferably constructed of .I-beams -having base means 5 provided with anchoring means- 6 and bridging `the columns il', are cross ties lr which are securedvto the upper ends thereof by a suitable securing means including angle brackets 8, with reinforcing arms E having one'ofjtheir ends fixed to the columnsiandtheir'opposite ends to the Across ties as clearly Yshown in Figure 3.

Theparticular fstructure ofthe runways or stringers of my ramp is of extreme importance in that they provide maximum safety, and displacement and the like thereof, is practically impossible.

The runways or stringers each include foundation means that is provided with a pair of I-beams I0 that have their base portions iixed to the cross ties but spaced therefrom by plates Il, and arranged at intervals between the pair of I-beams of a runway are webplates I2 which hold the same in true parallel relation with respect to each other throughout the entire length thereof, and these plates are secured to the webs of the I- beams through the instrumentality of angle strips I3 which are ixed to the web plates and the webs of the I-beams respectively as clearly shown in Figure 4.

Resting upon the heads of each pair of I-beams are Stringer plates I4 which are iixed to the heads and bridge the same as well as extend bethe channel portions of the runways. Secured to the stringer plates through the medium of rivets or the like that extend along the longitudinal center thereof, are the tread means of my runway and which as best shown in Figure 4 include transversely curved or concaved plate members I6 that have their side edges welded to the vertical portions of the angle members as at I'I, to not only hold the vertical portions in true parallel relation with respect to each other but also to provide a water tight connection, and the plate members I6 have disposed between the same and the horizontal portions of the angle members filler bars I8, so that the tread means will retain their concaved configuration regardless of the weight of the trafc, as will be apparent. The plate members I6 are serrated upon the upper surface thereof throughout their length so that tires of vehicles will have positive purchase thereon, which of course prevents slippage and skidding. The serrated tread plates I6, being of metal, have an inherent resiliency, and therefore are, to a determined extent, yieldable between their welded edges and the centrally and longitudinally arranged supporting filler or spacer bars I8. Vehicles having their tires, traveling on partsof the tread plates, at points opposite the longitudinal center thereof, will thus naturally travel over a frictional, but yieldable surface and will be natu,- rally held in proper position, that. is in a straight path which will obviate the liability of side movement or shifting thereof.

The runways are not only positively anchored in the abutments or base members I, but the anchoring means connect the runways together as clearly shown in Figure 2. The intermediate anchoring means each include a pair of converging arms I9 which have their remote ends fixed tothe confronting. sidesof the runways and preferably to the vertical portions of the angle members I 5, and the arms of the converging pairs curvedv toward each other, with their adjacent ends fixed together, as well as provided with anchoring strips 20 extending beyond the opposite sides thereof as clearly shown in Figure 2. The pairs of arms have likewise bridging the same reinforcing members 2l. The end anchoring means are in the formV of strips 22 that are outwardly curved and have anchoring members 23 fixed to the outer sidesthereof.

The I-beams I0 are likewise anchored as at 24 in the abutments or base members I and this anchoring means is preferably a continuation of the webs which have their ends bent in opposed directions with respect to each other as shown.

The arms I9 and strips 22 not only provide anchoring means for the runways but likewise guiding means, in that portions thereof are exposed and thereby direct the Wheels of the vehicles to the runways as will be apparent upon inspection of Figures 1 and 2.

From the above description and disclosure of the drawings, it will be obvious that I have provided a traffic ramp that is not only completely safe for motor vehicle traic, regardless of the type of vehicles, and whether or not they are equipped with single or dual wheels, but the open work construction allows for the passage of ample light to the street below, and the space between the runways may be covered by glass or other Y suitable transparent material.

The special construction of the runways is particularly adapted for vehicles, havingf dual wheels, as it will be noted from Figure 4 that an I-beam will be disposed below each wheel, so that the weight willbe equally distributed tothe Ibeams,. therefore the runways are capable of supporting maximum weight with minimum vibration, and this is' especially true due to the factA that the weby plates I2 have a tendency to distribute the weight equally on each beam. ,It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of my invention will be readily apparent.

I desire it to be understood that I' may make changes in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claim.

What I claim is:

A traino ramp comprising spaced parallel runways for the wheels of a vehicle and supports for said runways, each runway comprising a base plate which extends longitudinally of the ramp, angle plates secured thereto, longitudinally extended bars resting on and secured to the base plate and likewise secured to the horizontal flanges of the angle plates, and a, longitudinally extending upwardly concaved tread plate arranged transversely in the runwayV and having its edges welded to the vertical flanges of the angle plates, resting on the bars, and centrally secured to the base plate.

RICHARD R. BYWATER. 

